Shaun Massicott this month became the second person charged in connection with a seizure of more than 200 kilograms of cocaine on Jan. 19, police announced last Thursday. 

“During an operation on Jan.19 in the Brandywine area, officers … intercepted a rental vehicle,” according to a police press release. 

 “A search of that vehicle uncovered a large quantity of cocaine. A subsequent search of a second vehicle uncovered a smaller quantity of cocaine. A boat was seized as part of that operation.” 

Mr. Massicott, who appeared before Magistrates’ Court on July 16, was charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug, police said. 

He was offered bail of $200,000 with two signed sureties and $20,000 in cash, and would also have to surrender all travel documents, Police Information Officer Diane Drayton said via WhatsApp last Thursday. 

He is scheduled to return to Magistrates’ Court on Sept. 14, Ms. Drayton said. 

The other suspect 

Police previously charged government employee Devon Bedford with possession of a controlled drug and possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply in connection to the Jan. 19 seizure of 259 kilos of cocaine worth some $25 million, Crown Counsel Kristain Johnson read during Mr. Bedford’s Jan. 29 hearing. 

Mr. Johnson said that sometime after 4 a.m. in the Brandywine Bay area on Jan. 19, police conducting a mobile patrol noticed a powerboat speeding towards a dock near some condos. 

The officers also observed a white Kia rental vehicle and a red Suzuki Grand Vitara near the junction leading to Brandywine Estate Restaurant, Mr. Johnson alleged. 

Using night-vision goggles, the officers watched as people brought items off the vessel and onto the dock, before the two vehicles rapidly departed shortly thereafter, Mr. Johnson alleged. 

Police then trailed the cars to a bar, where someone exited the Grand Vitara, started up a parked vehicle and sped off, the prosecutor alleged. 

Car chase 

When the officers approached the white Kia, it sped off and they gave chase, Mr. Johnson alleged. 

Eventually, police blocked the car in, and after it came to a standstill the driver exited and ran into the bushes, according to the allegations. 

Although the police did not pursue the driver on foot, they were able to see him clearly and identify him as Mr. Bedford, the prosecutor read. 

The officers then searched the Kia, in which they found five parcels of what they suspected to be cocaine, Mr. Johnson alleged. 

After police took the vehicle into custody, they found two keys inside: one for the vehicle of Mr. Bedford’s girlfriend and the other for her residence, Mr. Johnson alleged. 

Mr. Bedford was arrested on Jan. 28, and while interviewed under caution he denied ownership or knowledge of the cocaine, the prosecutor alleged. 

Magistrate Tamia Richards denied Mr. Bedford bail during that hearing.